A devoted (obsessed) 18 year old girl's views on all-things Yankees, and other random thoughts

Double the Winning Fun

Yanks Win 2 in 1 Day

Before yesterday’s Yankee game, I was upset about the state of the team. Game 1 against the Twins was suspended due to rain, and I was annoyed. Burnett was pitching just brilliantly, but the offense did nothing for him. I thought suspending the game would hurt the Yankees, because I thought the offense would just stink like it has the past week, but the pitching would be bad because A.J. wouldn’t continue – leaving it up to the bullpen (aaah!).

But to my surprise, the bullpen didn’t stink – instead, it was a breath of fresh air, much like a spring meadow. Robertson was good, Joba too, and Mo – well, he didn’t allow a run. Baby steps. Derek Jeter’s solo home run in the 6th was all the offense the Yankees needed. They won the suspended game 1-0. I was shocked – pleasantly. Good pitching [usually] beats good hitting.

Thank you Derek! We needed that game!

I was glad the Yankees won the first game, but I wasn’t sure if it would actually be a turning point. The Yankees’ last winning streak was May 14 and 15, just 2 games, against the Twins. I hoped for a game 2 win against the Twins to FINALLY start another winning streak, but I didn’t really believe they would do it.

But after the Twins scored a quick run in the 1st off Andy Pettitte, I was crushed. It was such an effort for the Yankees to just get 1 run in the first game – now they had to get 2? Impossible.

In the 4th, my darling baby Francisco Cervelli hustled it out for an infield single. Cutie Kevin Russo came up. He’s done a nice job up to that point, but I was in a doubtful mood. I highly doubted that he could do something AGAIN. But Russo delivered. His double scored Cervelli all the way from first, and the Yankees tied the game at 1. They were alive.

I like this rookie ;)

Kevin Russo started a rally later on. In the 6th, he hit an innocent little single after putting up a nice at-bat. Brettiboo Gardner decided it was his turn to make things interesting, and to get me excited in the team again. How does Brett get me excited? With his speed. I think it’s sexy. Gardner tripled, scoring Kevin Russo, and gave the Yankees a LEAD! 2-1.

The Yankees lost the lead in the bottom of the 7th, and I have to admit it hit me hard. But it wasn’t over. The game was still tied at 2, so the Yankees had a chance. Andy Pettitte was still in there for the bottom of the 8th. I thought that was a good decision, but after Butera led off with a double, I wasn’t so sure. I know Gardner just missed it, but it was still hit well. Then A-Rod made an error on a bunt, putting the Yankees in a sticky situation: first and third with none out. I couldn’t watch. I covered my eyes. Orlando Hudson then hit the ball back up the middle, and I shuddered. But miraculously, it went into Andy’s glove, for the first out! I was excited, but all those feelings disappeared when I saw who stepped up to the plate next: Joe Mauer. I went back into my cover-the-eyes mode. I heard the bat-ball connection, and bravely looked at the screen. ANDY INDUCED THE DOUBLE PLAY!!! Jeet to Robbie to Tex! 6-4-3 dp! Inning over, threat averted, huge momentum shift. Andy actually showed some legit emotion – fist pumping so hard I thought he ripped his arm out of his socket. It was a great moment for the Yankees.

Aw, Andy ♥

The momentum did shift in that inning, just in time for a Yankee rally. It happened kind of quickly. Nick Swisher just, connected, and that was it. Gone! That home run was a monster shot. Swish’s shot drained the energy from the Minnesota crowd. It’s as if their energy was drained, and transplanted into me. I believed again. The Drama Club struck again.

I bet his bicep is all better ♥

Mariano Rivera successfully closed out the 9th inning for the save, but more importantly, the 3-2 YANKEE WIN. Because of all the momemtum shifts in that game, and that the Yankees came out on top, I do believe this is a turning point. They played better yesterday. The heroes for these two victories are Derek Jeter, for winning game 1 for us, Kevin Russo, for contributing to 2 of the 3 Yankee runs, A.J. and Andy, for their gutsy starting efforts, and Nick Swisher, for wrapping up the series winwith his clutch homer.

Let’s hope the Yankees keep on piling up the W’s. Despite everything, they are only 3.5 games behind the Rays.

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